Help me understand what a volute does for a skimmer.

[JMLewis]

Just received my Vertex Omega 150 today. Its in the tank currently breaking in. What im trying to understand is the purpose of adjusting the volute. This is my first skimmer with one so im just trying to get an understanding from folks with experience.

The instructions say to leave it fully screwed in for 2 weeks or whenever the skimmer is broken in.

 

[MarcWeaver]

I have that skimmer on my 40b quarantine tank which I leave running all the time (it's kind of turned into a second tank now that I am well stocked) and read the same thing in the instructions, but have never had to fool with it. It skims great. The only thing I had to do was wrap some teflon tape around the red pipe where the bottom of the output tee fits, as I found it difficult to turn the wedge pipe without turning the outlet pipe. I would guess that the volute adjustment has something to do with water and/or air intake for extra fine tuning.

 

[Sabellafella]

i just posted this twice in the last 2 days to 2 different people (sorry if it was you but i forgot lol) assuming when the volute is closed it increases the water to air, when the volute is open it increases the air to water witch = bigger bubbles witch = not for me as smaller bubbles collect more waste apparently, so i kept it closed and stuffed some floss in the air intake and its doing a great great job for me, hopefully i explained it right lol

 

[JMLewis]

I have that skimmer on my 40b quarantine tank which I leave running all the time (it's kind of turned into a second tank now that I am well stocked) and read the same thing in the instructions, but have never had to fool with it. It skims great. The only thing I had to do was wrap some teflon tape around the red pipe where the bottom of the output tee fits, as I found it difficult to turn the wedge pipe without turning the outlet pipe. I would guess that the volute adjustment has something to do with water and/or air intake for extra fine tuning.

That's a good idea, noticed the same thing.

i just posted this twice in the last 2 days to 2 different people (sorry if it was you but i forgot lol) assuming when the volute is closed it increases the water to air, when the volute is open it increases the air to water witch = bigger bubbles witch = not for me as smaller bubbles collect more waste apparently, so i kept it closed and stuffed some floss in the air intake and its doing a great great job for me, hopefully i explained it right lol

Nope wasn't me ;) but wow so you keep it fully closed and clog the air intake, interesting. Do you notice darker skimmate this way or faster production of it?

 

[Sabellafella]

That's a good idea, noticed the same thing.



Nope wasn't me ;) but wow so you keep it fully closed and clog the air intake, interesting. Do you notice darker skimmate this way or faster production of it?

Well i keep mine in 6 inches of water and am too lazy to make a new skimmer stand for it, what sucks is im used to a gate valve witch is enuff for me but vertex claims their volute and skimmer water height is important on the production. I just was always tinkering with this skimmer untill i did this, and yes the skimmate somehow wound up being better/dryer

 

[JMLewis]

Would you mind putting up a pic next time you clean it so I can see where your water level and the size of bubbles going into the neck are at?

 

[ritter6788]

I've twisted mine in and out and I really can't tell it does anything.

 

[luke33]

Adjusting the volute? You can adjust the standpipe, air intake but the volute ime is the pump cover that draws in the air. So you wouldn't really adjust a volute as it doesn't move. I bet they are talking about the air valve which controls the air going in the volute. There is really only one good reason imo to adjust the air valve. If you have something causing the skimmer to overflow you can turn down the air in the skimmer which will stop it from overflowing, then you can drain all the clear skim out until your tank settles down. So chemiclean, aquamend, water conditioners and similar products. Some additives will cause overflows as well.

 

[gcarroll]

Adjusting the volute? You can adjust the standpipe, air intake but the volute ime is the pump cover that draws in the air. So you wouldn't really adjust a volute as it doesn't move. I bet they are talking about the air valve which controls the air going in the volute. There is really only one good reason imo to adjust the air valve. If you have something causing the skimmer to overflow you can turn down the air in the skimmer which will stop it from overflowing, then you can drain all the clear skim out until your tank settles down. So chemiclean, aquamend, water conditioners and similar products. Some additives will cause overflows as well.

I agree! He appears to be referring to the adjustable venturi which can reduce the air into the skimmer. It does not cause larger bubbles, just more or less bubbles. I too see no good reason to reduce the amount of air going in the skimmer unless you are running a light bio load and that is the only way to get it to maintain a stable foam head.

 

[Sabellafella]

Would you mind putting up a pic next time you clean it so I can see where your water level and the size of bubbles going into the neck are at?

yes deffinitly, ill clean it tom and toss up a pic but i measures it now,it sits 6 1/4 of water and im too lazy to take out my eggcrate and cut it down. Ive had the same results when it sat in 7 1/2 inch with out the floss jamed in

 

[ritter6788]

Adjusting the volute? You can adjust the standpipe, air intake but the volute ime is the pump cover that draws in the air. So you wouldn't really adjust a volute as it doesn't move. I bet they are talking about the air valve which controls the air going in the volute. There is really only one good reason imo to adjust the air valve. If you have something causing the skimmer to overflow you can turn down the air in the skimmer which will stop it from overflowing, then you can drain all the clear skim out until your tank settles down. So chemiclean, aquamend, water conditioners and similar products. Some additives will cause overflows as well.

The vertex has an adjustment at the pump intake. It screws in or out. I doesn't do much that I can tell but it is adjustable.